Christ's Sovereign Leadership: Encounters with the Divine

 

Summary

In today's exploration of encounters with Christ, we delved into the profound mystery of Christophanies—pre-incarnation appearances of Christ in the Old Testament. We began with a light-hearted trivia about the movie "The Ten Commandments" and transitioned into a deeper question: Who was the first to meet Jesus in human history? While the answer remains elusive, it led us to consider the mysterious appearances of God in the Old Testament, known as theophanies, and more specifically, Christophanies.

One such Christophany is found in the book of Joshua, where Joshua encounters a mysterious figure with a drawn sword. This figure, identified as the "captain of the Lord of Hosts," is not merely an angel but a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. This encounter is pivotal as it shifts the focus from Joshua's leadership to the divine leadership of Christ. The captain of the Lord of Hosts asserts His authority, emphasizing that the real question is not whether He is on Joshua's side, but whether Joshua is on His side.

This encounter challenges us to reconsider our relationship with Christ. Often, we speak of accepting Christ, but the deeper question is whether Christ accepts us. The encounter with Joshua reminds us that Christ is not an option or an accessory to our lives; He is the Commander, the one who leads us into spiritual battles and victories. Our role is to align ourselves with His will, to worship Him, and to draw strength and courage from His presence.

The story of Joshua and the captain of the Lord of Hosts is a powerful reminder of the sovereignty of Christ and the necessity of our submission to His authority. It calls us to a deeper understanding of our faith, where we recognize Christ as the ultimate leader and source of strength in our lives.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Mystery of Christophanies: The Old Testament contains mysterious encounters with God, known as theophanies, and more specifically, Christophanies, where Christ appears before His incarnation. These appearances remind us of the continuity of Christ's presence and authority throughout history. [03:43]

2. Christ's Sovereign Leadership: In Joshua's encounter with the captain of the Lord of Hosts, we see a shift from human leadership to divine leadership. This encounter challenges us to recognize Christ as the ultimate leader, whose authority surpasses all earthly powers. [18:25]

3. Reevaluating Our Relationship with Christ: The question is not whether Christ is on our side, but whether we are on His side. This perspective shift calls us to align our lives with His will and to submit to His authority. [22:33]

4. The Importance of Worship and Obedience: Joshua's response to the captain of the Lord of Hosts—falling on his face in worship—highlights the importance of reverence and obedience to Christ. Our strength and courage come from acknowledging His presence and authority. [20:09]

5. Christ as Our Commander and Champion: Christ is not merely an option in our lives; He is the Commander of the Lord's army, leading us into spiritual battles. Our role is to follow Him, drawing strength from His leadership and trusting in His victory. [19:12]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:37] - Trivia and Introduction
- [01:22] - Joshua's Role in the Old Testament
- [02:07] - The Mystery of Christophanies
- [03:43] - Theophanies and Christophanies Explained
- [05:25] - Isaiah's Vision of Christ
- [06:10] - The Enigma of Melchizedek
- [06:50] - Joshua's Encounter with the Divine
- [07:37] - The Siege of Jericho
- [08:58] - God's Promise to Joshua
- [10:22] - Joshua's Challenge and Courage
- [11:17] - The Mysterious Warrior
- [15:15] - Joshua's Question and the Warrior's Response
- [18:25] - Christ's Sovereign Leadership
- [20:09] - Worship and Obedience to Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Encounters with Christ

Bible Reading:
1. Joshua 5:13-15
2. Isaiah 6:1-5
3. Genesis 14:18-20

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Observation Questions:

1. In Joshua 5:13-15, what was Joshua's initial reaction upon seeing the man with the drawn sword, and how did he address him? [11:17]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the title "captain of the Lord of Hosts" as it relates to the figure Joshua encountered? [17:25]

3. How does the encounter between Joshua and the captain of the Lord of Hosts challenge the common perception of leadership in the context of the sermon? [18:25]

4. What was Joshua's response after realizing the identity of the mysterious figure, and what does this reveal about his understanding of worship and authority? [19:12]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of Christophanies, as discussed in the sermon, enhance our understanding of Christ's presence and authority throughout biblical history? [03:43]

2. In what ways does the encounter between Joshua and the captain of the Lord of Hosts illustrate the shift from human to divine leadership? How might this apply to modern-day leadership in the church? [18:25]

3. The sermon suggests a shift in perspective from asking if Christ is on our side to whether we are on His side. How does this change in perspective affect one's personal faith journey? [22:33]

4. What does the acceptance of worship by the captain of the Lord of Hosts indicate about His identity, and how does this shape our understanding of worship in the Christian faith? [20:50]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced a significant challenge. How did you determine whether you were aligning with God's will in that situation? What steps can you take to ensure you are on Christ's side in future challenges? [22:33]

2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of recognizing Christ as the ultimate leader. How can you practically submit to Christ's leadership in your daily life, especially in areas where you tend to rely on your own strength? [18:25]

3. Consider your current relationship with Christ. Are there areas where you treat Him as an option rather than the Commander of your life? What changes can you make to align more closely with His authority? [21:49]

4. Joshua's response to the captain of the Lord of Hosts was one of worship and obedience. How can you cultivate a heart of worship and obedience in your own life, particularly in moments of uncertainty or fear? [20:09]

5. The sermon challenges us to draw strength and courage from Christ's presence. Identify a specific area in your life where you need courage. How can you actively seek Christ's presence to gain the strength you need? [20:50]

6. How does the story of Joshua and the captain of the Lord of Hosts inspire you to reevaluate your approach to spiritual battles? What practical steps can you take to prepare for and engage in these battles with Christ as your Commander? [19:12]

7. Reflect on the idea that the real question is whether Christ accepts us. How does this perspective influence your understanding of salvation and your relationship with God? What actions can you take to deepen this relationship? [21:49]

Devotional

Day 1: The Continuity of Christ's Presence
In the Old Testament, there are mysterious encounters with God known as theophanies, and more specifically, Christophanies, where Christ appears before His incarnation. These appearances remind us of the continuity of Christ's presence and authority throughout history. They serve as a profound reminder that Christ's work and influence did not begin with His birth in Bethlehem but have been woven into the fabric of God's interaction with humanity from the very beginning. These Christophanies challenge us to see the Old Testament not as a separate narrative but as an integral part of the story of Christ's redemptive work. [03:43]

"Then the Lord appeared to Abram and said, 'To your offspring I will give this land.' So he built there an altar to the Lord, who had appeared to him." (Genesis 12:7, ESV)

Reflection: How does recognizing Christ's presence throughout the Old Testament change your understanding of His role in your life today?


Day 2: Divine Leadership Over Human Leadership
In Joshua's encounter with the captain of the Lord of Hosts, we see a shift from human leadership to divine leadership. This encounter challenges us to recognize Christ as the ultimate leader, whose authority surpasses all earthly powers. Joshua's experience teaches us that true leadership is not about asserting our own plans but about submitting to the divine guidance of Christ. It is a call to trust in His sovereign leadership, knowing that He is the one who leads us into spiritual battles and victories. [18:25]

"And the Lord said to Joshua, 'See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor.'" (Joshua 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you relying on your own leadership instead of seeking Christ's guidance and authority?


Day 3: Aligning with Christ's Will
The question is not whether Christ is on our side, but whether we are on His side. This perspective shift calls us to align our lives with His will and to submit to His authority. It challenges us to move beyond a self-centered faith that seeks to fit Christ into our plans and instead embrace a Christ-centered faith that seeks to align our lives with His purposes. This alignment requires humility, obedience, and a willingness to let go of our own agendas in favor of His divine plan. [22:33]

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." (James 4:7, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself resisting Christ's authority? How can you begin to align this area with His will today?


Day 4: The Power of Worship and Obedience
Joshua's response to the captain of the Lord of Hosts—falling on his face in worship—highlights the importance of reverence and obedience to Christ. Our strength and courage come from acknowledging His presence and authority. Worship is not just an act of reverence but a declaration of our dependence on Christ's power and guidance. It is through worship and obedience that we find the strength to face the challenges of life, knowing that we are not alone but are led by the Commander of the Lord's army. [20:09]

"Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!" (Psalm 95:6, ESV)

Reflection: How can you incorporate acts of worship and obedience into your daily routine to acknowledge Christ's authority in your life?


Day 5: Following Christ as Our Commander
Christ is not merely an option in our lives; He is the Commander of the Lord's army, leading us into spiritual battles. Our role is to follow Him, drawing strength from His leadership and trusting in His victory. This understanding calls us to a life of active discipleship, where we are not passive observers but active participants in His mission. It is a call to trust in His leadership, knowing that He has already secured the victory and that our role is to follow Him faithfully. [19:12]

"For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory." (Deuteronomy 20:4, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take today to actively follow Christ as your Commander in the spiritual battles you face?

Quotes

"Who was the first person that ever came face to face with Jesus on this planet in human history? Now, on that question, I cheated, because one of the rules of trivia is that you are not allowed to ask somebody a trivia question to which you don't know the answer yourself; that's cheating to do that. And that's just what I did, I just cheated you, because I don't know the answer to that question. I don't know who the first person was in human history to meet Jesus. It could have been Adam. It could have possibly been Abraham. Perhaps it was Moses, I'm not sure." [00:02:31]

"The reason I'm not sure is that, because there is an aura of mystery about some strange encounters that are recorded for us in the Old Testament that are very difficult for scholars to get a handle on. On the one hand, we are familiar with these episodes in the Old Testament where men or women encounter the living God in what is called a 'theophany.' A theophany, as I mentioned before, is a visible outward manifestation of the invisible God." [00:03:22]

"Well, in addition to the presence of theophanies in the Old Testament, Old Testament scholars as well as New Testament scholars are interested in what can be called 'Christophanies,' which refer to a pre incarnation appearance of the second person of the Trinity in human history prior to the birth of Christ in Bethlehem. Now, we know that there are such Christophanies." [00:04:34]

"There is great mystery, for example, that attends the person of Melchizedek in the Old Testament. Who was called by the name Melchizedek, or 'Malki Tzedek,' which means king of righteousness. And he is described as the king of Salem or the king of peace. His name and his title, King of Righteousness, King of Peace, sounds very much like the titles that are ascribed to Christ in the New Testament." [00:05:55]

"And there are scholars who believe that in that encounter that Abraham was meeting the pre incarnate Christ. I don't know. But there is another such episode of a person who came face to face with Christ that I do believe is clearly a Christophany, and that takes place in the fifth chapter of the book of Joshua." [00:07:10]

"God commands Joshua to lead a siege against the stronghold, this fortress city that guarded the promised land of Canaan, the city of Jericho. It's been immortalized in song, we all know the song 'Joshua fought the battle of Jericho, Jericho, Jericho,' I'm not going to sing it for you; I already did, but, you know, the song. 'And the walls came tumbling down, down, down, down,' and it's been a part of the joy of Christian heritage to sing that song about that military conquest in the Old Testament." [00:07:56]

"Joshua was a warrior. He was the leader of the nation, and all of a sudden he sees a soldier he had never seen before in his life, and he can tell just by looking at him that this is a formidable person. He can tell by the way the man holds the sword that he's not a novice with a sword, this is no rank amateur that has suddenly appeared, but he can't see his name on the program." [00:13:27]

"And then all of a sudden I think Joshua, who still has the words of God ringing in his ears that 'I will be with you. I will not forsake you. Be strong, be of great courage. No man shall be able to stand against you.' I know that Joshua is looking at this guy and thinking, 'Well, what about this one? This guy looks awfully formidable to me.'" [00:14:21]

"So Joshua went to him and said to him, 'Are you for us or for our adversary?' He sees this formidable soldier standing in his path, and he goes over to him, and he asks him the question that's on his mind. At least I have to give credit to Joshua that he just comes right out and asks the question, because he wants to know, 'Whose side are you on? Whose team are you playing for?'" [00:15:29]

"The answer to Joshua's question, 'Are you for us or for our adversaries?' And the answer is, 'No.' No? What kind of an answer is that? I mean, that would be cute when you are in a restaurant, or in the store, where somebody says, 'Will this be cash or charge?' And you say, 'Yes.' And they give you a look, and you know what they are going to say, 'Smart aleck, don't be playing games with me. Obviously, it's got to be one or the other.'" [00:16:19]

"But as captain of the Lord of Hosts, I have now come.' Now, another translation reads it this way: 'No, but as commander of the army of the Lord, I have now come.' 'Joshua, I am not from your army, and I'm not from the armies of Jericho. I am the captain of the Lord of Hosts. I am the commander of the army of God.'" [00:17:14]

"The issue is not, do we know Christ, but does He know us? And the question is not, do we accept Christ, but does He accept us? I want us to turn the tables of our thinking just as Christ here in His encounter with Joshua made Joshua think from a totally different perspective, a totally different level. 'Are you for us or against us?' and Christ said, 'No,' I'm taking over." [00:22:05]

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Transcript
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